MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE

CORNWALL BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Thursday, October 21, 2004

9:00 a.m. - Town Hall

PRESENT: First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, Selectman Ken Keskinen, 2 citizens, one reporter

First Selectman Ridgway called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Selectman Keskinen made the motion to approve the minutes of September 29 and October 4, 2004 as printed. First Selectman Ridgway seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to add to the agenda Executive Session: Insurance Settlement Legal Advice. Selectman Keskinen seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

COMMUNICATIONS: First Selectman Ridgway presented to the Board a letter from the Torrington Area Health District concerning the local impact of the flu vaccine shortage. TAHD was under contract with the company that was shut down. TAHD may be able to obtain some vaccines early December and will ration them out to the most vulnerable people. The Board discussed the situation.

DIBBLE HILL DRAINAGE: First Selectman Ridgway welcomed the Cusacks and updated them on what has been done regarding their drainage issue. Presently the town attorney is reviewing the draft of the drainage policy. Mrs. Cusack relayed her concerns about their property, the drainage and the type of water that is coming onto the property, road water containing salts and oils, the history or lack of history and the validity of history’s impact on the present drainage situation and the issue of no easements onto their property for drainage and the lack of communication before any town drainage clean out work was done. Mrs. Cusack asks for the town’s support in solving this drainage problem. Engineer reports were referred to and there was discussion. First Selectman Ridgway reiterated this is not just an engineering drainage problem, it is also a legal and policy problem. What actions the town takes will set a precedent. The Board and the Cusacks discussed what could be done, how and by whom. To prevent further problems, Mr. Cusack suggested a pipe taking water further across their property as opposed to cutting up the road. The Board and the Cusacks discussed scheduling. The schedule for fall highway projects was reviewed and is pretty tight. Mr. Cusack agreed the drainage situation is not one of immediate danger. The Board and the Cusacks will continue to work to come to an agreement on a plan of some sort.

DRAINAGE POLICY: The Town Attorney is reviewing the draft of the town drainage policy.

STEAP GRANT #1: PARKING LOT/BALL FIELD: First Selectman Ridgway reported to the Board that the soil test results are back and there is no ground contamination. The tank has been removed. The walking track is in. The seeding will be done within a week.

STEAP GRANT #2: HUGHES MEMORIAL LIBRARY: First Selectman Ridgway reported he has spoken to Hughes Memorial Library Chairman Jerry Doolittle concerning the needs of the library. First Selectman Ridgway reported he has written CL&P inquiring what their interests in the property next to the Hughes Memorial Library in West Cornwall are and if they are interested in selling the property to the town for a fair price.

CROSSWALKS: First Selectman Ridgway reported he has met with Connecticut Department of Transportation on site in Cornwall Bridge concerning a cross walk in Cornwall Bridge. DOT is in agreement with installing a cross walk and will put it on their schedule. First Selectman Ridgway reported he will meet with Connecticut Department of Transportation on site in West Cornwall to discuss a crosswalk in West Cornwall.

REMINDER: TOWN MEETING: First Selectman Ridgway reminded those present and the press of this Friday’s Annual Town Meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall.

FALL HIGHWAY PROJECTS: The Board reviewed a list of fall projects submitted by the highway foreman.

WEST CORNWALL: FIRE HYDRANT: First Selectman Ridgway reported the bid has gone out for the West Cornwall Fire Hydrant project. Results should be back soon.

CORNWALL LIGHTING DISTRICT: First Selectman Ridgway reported that Rev. Scott Cady is working on calling a meeting of the Cornwall Lighting District to resolve the Cornwall Village lighting issue.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: First Selectman Ridgway made the motion to go into Executive Session to discuss Insurance Settlement Legal Advice. Selectman Keskinen seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Board went into executive session at 9:30 a.m.

The Board came out of executive session at 9:40 a.m. No action was taken.

Meeting adjourned at 9:45 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Hart

Secretary to the Board of Selectmen